❚ We may earn commission from links on this page. Our editorial is always independent (learn more).

EastEnders airs emotional return for iconic character in early BBC iPlayer release

Warning: Contains spoilers for Monday's episode of EastEnders, which airs tonight on BBC One at 7:30pm or can be streamed now on BBC iPlayer.

A silhouette of Pat Butcher stood in front of a 90s Queen Victoria and a Christmas tree in EastEnders

BBC

Published: Monday, 22 December 2025 at 6:30 am

Subscribe to Radio Times: 10 weeks for £10, including the Christmas double issue

Rejoice! Our beloved, bejewelled queen is back in Albert Square – Pat Evans (Pam St Clement) has staged her EastEnders return.

Ad

The comeback is slightly earlier than anticipated, as she wasn't due to appear until tomorrow's episode.

It comes as Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) and Julie Bates (Karen Henthorn) debated placing her husband Nigel (Paul Bradley), who is living with dementia, in a care home.

He's been living with Phil for the last year, and the pair have already had disagreements about how to look after him.

Nige's symptoms are worsening, and last week he accidentally knocked Julie's eye and badly bruised her. It also became apparent in today's episode that he is now incontinent.

Phil and Julie were trying to put on a brave face ahead of his festive film screening, but it didn't exactly go to plan. He stood on stage to make his speech to the audience, and the lights of the projector shone on Julie's injuries.

Nigel stands in a bright light wearing a black suit and bow tie beside Julie in EastEnders

Nigel had an emotional time at his screening. BBC/Jack Barns/Kieron McCarron

He knew that something had happened, and she explained that he had done it accidentally. But it wasn't enough to save the evening – he stormed out, as everyone watched on.

Hot on his heels, Phil and Julie found him stood alone on Turpin Road and began to discuss the care home option again. Nigel overheard, and they had to reassure him that they weren't referring to him.

Want to see this content?

This page contains content provided by Google reCAPTCHA. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as Google reCAPTCHA may use cookies and other technologies. To view this content, choose 'Accept and continue' to allow Google reCAPTCHA and its required purposes.

Accept and continue

As he wandered off alone, his memories of the past began to crossover into the present day. Noise of a party echoed from the seemingly empty Queen Vic, and once inside, Nigel was transported back to the '90s.

A punter snapped a picture on a Polaroid camera, there was a tonne of tinsel, folk were smoking, and the bust of Her Majesty was a chalky white colour.

Most importantly, Pat was sat in a booth. Cue the doof doofs!

Pat, in a pink blazer and blue shirt, comforts Nigel, who is wearing a black suit and white shirt in the Queen Vic. A wine glass and cigarettes are on the table in front of them and the pub is decorated in a 90s theme in a scene from EastEnders

Welcome back, Pat. BBC/Jack Barns/Kieron McCarron

Read more:

Visit our dedicated EastEnders page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers.

Add EastEnders to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more.

Ad

Check out more of our Soaps coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guideto find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.

Authors

Michael Adams wearing a white t-shirt and beige gilet against a white background

Michael AdamsSoaps Editor

Michael Adams is the Soaps Editor at Radio Times, covering all of the hot gossip and spoilers from Weatherfield to Walford, Emmerdale to Hollyoaks and everywhere in-between. He joined the team from Metro, where he spent two years as a Soaps Reporter and previously worked on the sets of both Coronation Street and Emmerdale.

Ad

Ad

Get the Christmas double issue

Too much to watch at Christmas? Let Radio Times do the choosing to find something the whole family will enjoy.

Subscribe by 3 Dec

Loading...

Ad

Loading...